We are excited for today's In The Spotlight as we're being joined by award-winning author, Vincent Zandri. If you are writing in the mystery/action/adventure genres, or just really enjoy reading the works of those who do, this is the chat for you.
Vincent truly understands the keys to becoming a successful author in the very competitive publishing arena, and he's got amazing material out there to prove it. Plus, he's a genuinely nice guy and cares about his readers.
So, grab yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, get comfy and join us in our chat. I'm sure you'll enjoy meeting him as much as I have.
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CHYNNA:
Welcome to the blog, Vincent! Thank you so much for squeezing me in around your very
busy writing schedule. Let’s start with you telling us a bit about your
background.
VINCENT:
I
was born in Troy, New York in 1964 on a very hot 4th of July
weekend, so they tell me. Someone tossed a live firecracker in my mother’s room
while she was nursing me and that probably explains a lot about the stuff I
write. I was groomed for the construction business and started working digging
ditches at 14. By the time I was out of college I’d had enough of that and
decided to become a writer.
VINCENT:
I
played drums in some punk bands growing up, and still play. But I was never as
passionate about it, in terms of creative expression, as I am with writing. I
feel like I was born to be a writer. That there was nothing else for me writing
stories, one after the other.
CHYNNA:
I think it’s great that you still play drums. But I totally hear you about the
creative freedom that comes from writing. It’s such a rewarding way to get all
of those ideas in your head out there, and telling a story others can enjoy
too. The story that ‘introduced’ me to your work and talent was a short story
you’d written about a man who was blind, and coping in the seeing world around
him. I was so impressed how you got the reader to ‘see’ the world through this
man’s eyes. Do you do research before tackling stories like these, or do you
just ‘wing it’?
VINCENT:
I
try to research enough to get the details right, but I don’t over research so
much that my creativity is stifled. In that story, I closed my eyes and thought
about what it would be like to no longer have the use of your eyes. You would
have to find a way to make up for the handicap, like counting the steps it
takes to get from the bedroom to the bathroom for instance.
CHYNNA:
Yes, exactly! Most times, that kind of research is more powerful in the end
because you’re actually feeling what the character is. Those of us who know
your work look forward to all of your murder/mystery/action/adventure books and
stories. Would you consider writing other stories, like the one discussed
above, or do you gravitate more to the genres where there is more action?
VINCENT:
Lately,
I’ve been in love with the action. But I have also been experimenting with some
Young Adult and even Erotic Noir (talk about polar opposites). I’ve just
finished two psychological suspense stand-alones, and have also been sketching
some flash fiction. But my bread and butter is the action & adventure and
the hard-boiled stuff.
CHYNNA:
Wow! Those really are two polar opposite genres. lol I think it’s great to dabble in
different areas to get a true sense of where you’re most passionate. That’s a
great approach. What is your writing routine like, or do you have one?
VINCENT: Wake
up fairly early, like I would for a normal job. Make the coffee, bring it with
me into the writing studio which is also my bedroom. Work for a couple hours
either writing new, or editing newly written material. Then break for a jog and
some weight lifting. Back at it until lunch. Usually I eat lunch while I work.
Maybe a quick nap around 1:15PM, then I’m fresh for the afternoon session. I
take a walk around 3:15, rain, shine, or snow, and work again until 4:30 or
5:00PM. By then I can’t wait to get out of the house for a while, so I head
over to my favorite bar, have a couple of beers and pick up some food. I have
the same routine in Florence, Italy as I do in New York. It’s just that the
food and wine is better in the former. I work six days a week, sometimes seven.
CHYNNA:
It’s nice to hear someone else takes cat naps mid-afternoon to re-fuel. And if
I lived in Italy, or New York for that matter, I’d have more distractions I’m
sure. J As you are aware, promotion is a
huge part of becoming successful in this business. There is so much media out
there to help us authors reach out to our readers. Which have you found most
useful and do you have advice for our writers-in-progress on this subject? For
example, having a platform even before sending
in those writing samples seems to help seal the deal, right?
VINCENT:
Building
a platform is key. Blogging, creating a YouTube channel, podcasting, writing
articles and short stories…all these things help get your name out there. Back
in the day, you could post about your book on Social Media and get some sales,
but that doesn’t seem to be much the case anymore. Things are changing rapidly,
and the new crop of young writers are just as likely to be computer programmers
and SEO experts as they are gifted with the ability to tell a story. In order
to keep up with promotions I’ve recently hired someone to take care of it for
me so I can concentrate on the work. The best advice I can give however, is
write one book after the other. That’s your best pathway to success.
CHYNNA:
That’s awesome advice. And this sometimes Internet-challenged girl will take
notes here on that one. What advice can you give us about how to get that lucky
break, aside from platform or promotion? What other skills or knowledge should
a writer have?
VINCENT:
See
the last sentence in the answer to the previous question.
CHYNNA:
lol Thank goodness. I think I’m on the right track, then. I hope our readers
take double note of that too. Do you have any upcoming work we should be
watching out for?
CHYNNA:
That’s very impressive, and proof that when you have an awesome idea for a
series it’s golden. With all of the amazing things you have accomplished, is there
anything you can look back on and change or do differently, if you could?
VINCENT:
I
would have gotten into the indie side of things earlier on. The writers like
Blake Crouch, Joe Konrath, Diane Capri, Lee Goldberg, Russell Blake, JR Rain,
Scott Nicholson, and others, started in right away and built themselves a huge
following. They are not only super talented, but pioneers in the industry.
CHYNNA:
Oh, absolutely. I think it’s really important to read in the genre(s) we want
to be successful in because there’s a lot to be learned from someone who’s
already gotten there. I know you need to get back to your deadlines so I’ll
fire one last question at you that I always like to ask. Do you have any pearls
of wisdom you live by and can share with our readers?
VINCENT:
Never
take the literary successes or failures too seriously. If you work hard enough,
you’re going to experience plenty of both. You’re never really that successful
or really that much of a failure. If you can make yourself a nice little
living, help others out when they need it, and enjoy every day to its fullest. That,
in itself, is a success.
CHYNNA:
Those are some powerful pearls to live by. Thank you again, Vincent, for
joining us here today. I wish you continued success and hope that you can come
back again when things settle down for you a bit.
Please check out Vincent’s website and follow
the links to his books to learn more about him and the fantastic work he’s
sharing. It’s well worth it.
Thanks for having me Chynna:)
ReplyDeleteAnytime, Vincent. Keep me posted on your new stuff. :)
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